 MENDELSSOHN PIANO CONCERTOS Nos. 1 & 2 ~ SYMPHONY No. 5  Louis Lortie, piano and direction Orchestre symphonique de Québec ACD2 2617 • Louis Lortie performs both as pianist and conductor for the first time! In his first CD in nine years, he leads the Orchestre symphonique de Québec in Mendelssohn's two piano concertos and in the Symphony No. 5. • Mendelssohn began writing concertos at the age of 13. The concerto for piano, the concerto for violin and piano, and the two concerti for two pianos, all of which he wrote between 1822 and 1824, prepared the way for the two works for piano soloist featured on this recording. • Mendelssohn embarked on his Symphony No.5 (the Reformation) in 1829, while he was touring Europe. The work was composed to honor the 300th anniversary (in 1830) of Martin Luther's Confession of Augsbourg. • Canadian pianist Louis Lortie has been praised for the fresh perspective and individuality he brings to a broad spectrum of the keyboard canon. Lortie has made more than 30 recordings, ranging from Mozart to Stravinsky. • The Orchestre symphonique de Québec, the oldest of all Canadian symphony orchestras, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2002. With 66 permanent musicians, the orchestra reaches more than 100,000 music-lovers each year, thanks to its numerous concerts and radio and television broadcasts.
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